1 . How to Avoid an Internet Addiction

It may seem like everyone surfs the web these days. But if you can’t have interest in other aspects of your life because of the Internet, you may be on your way to an Internet addiction. You might fear you’re the only one who has experienced that feeling.    1     Luckily, there are some ways to avoid living your life in front of the computer.

    2    

More and more people in the world are becoming addicted to the Internet, and you are not the only one with this problem. So do not be embarrassed. Just be brave to admit that you are on your way to an Internet addiction. And then find others with the same problem and help each other beat it.

Set aside limited time for computer use.

Make sure not to turn it on too many times a week. If you have a laptop, make sure to put it somewhere that you can remember but not somewhere that you see every day. Try keeping the lid closed when you are not using it.     3       If you have a desktop PC, try not to go near it or put something over it like a sheet.

Call people instead of sending instant messages or texts.

If you are free on weekends, call friends and ask them to go outside to do something you enjoy, like playing a sport. This will take your mind off the computer.     4    

Use an alarm clock or timer (计时器).

Before using your computer, decide on a time limit such as 30 minutes. Set the clock or timer and make sure that you get away from the computer when the time is up. Alternatively create a shutdown timer on your desktop.     5    

A．Being addicted to it is quite normal.

B．Admit you are at risk of an addiction.

C．The truth, though, is that it’s quite common to be an addict.

D．When the computer is not looking at you, you are less likely to use it.

E．This can be programmed to shut down your computer after the set time.

F．If you have a problem on weekdays, phone your friends or ask for help in person.

G．This will prevent you from using the Internet so often or going on to another page.

2 . J. K. Rowling frequently shows there is magic every day. Her Harry Potter series has helped people through times of stress and depression and she is always there to deliver wise words of encouragement.

She is one celebrity who is very active on Twitter. So when a single dad named Matt Burke sent her a message thanking her for the series, she noticed. Her series had helped strengthen his relationship with his 9­year­old daughter Bailey.

He included a link to his article titled Being a Broke Parent. He explained how he hadn’t found a level of financial stability that allowed him to pay bills on time and take his daughter on more activities and events. The family also doesn’t have the Internet or TV, which means there’s no “digital babysitter” and he has to rely on his own creative ways to bond with his daughter. Since he received the series, the main thing that has occupied them these days is reading books together.

Burke admits that he thought he was “too cool” for the books when they first came out and he was in his twenties, but he’s loving reading them now. “We switch off chapter by chapter reading them out loud，“Burke explains.” This not only allows her to get more used to reading aloud in front of someone, but it gets me directly involved in something she loves, and it gives me the chance to be very dramatic when I read my chapters and bring myself into the characters in the book, which has proven to be a ton of fun.”

After hearing Burke’s story, Rowling said how honored she was when Harry Potter was a part of his family’s life and offered Burke more books. Besides, people are also offering to send Burke more books as gifts. For Burke, this experience, far more than gifts, will be what he treasures.

1. Why did Burke thank J. K. Rowling according to the text?

A．She guided him how to write a good story.

B．She encouraged him when he was in trouble.

C．Her books helped him through times of confusion.

D．Her books helped him improve his bond with his daughter.

2. What is implied in Burke’s words in paragraph 4?

A．He has found it interesting to read the series.	B．He was too old to understand the series better.
C．He has chosen a better way of reading the series.	D．He hopes to play a role in the drama in the future.

3. Which word can best describe Burke’s experience according to the text?

A．Useless.

B．Normal.

C．Valuable.

D．Boring.

4. What is the main idea of this text?

A．J. K. Rowling chooses to help improve kids’ health.

B．J. K. Rowling gives a magical gift to a single father.

C．J. K. Rowling has a deep influence on others’ growth.

D．Burke comes to know J. K. Rowling through her series.

4 . The Stanford marshmallow (棉花糖) test was originally conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel in the late 1960s. Children aged four to six at a nursery school were placed in a room. A single sugary treat, selected by the child, was placed on a table. Each child was told if they waited for 15 minutes before eating the treat, they would be given a second treat. Then they were left alone in the room. Follow-up studies with the children later in life showed a connection between an ability to wait long enough to obtain a second treat and various forms of success.

As adults we face a version of the marshmallow test every day. We’re not tempted by sugary treats, but by our computers, phones, and tablets — all the devices that connect us to the global delivery system for various types of information that do to us what marshmallows do to preschoolers.

We are tempted by sugary treats because our ancestors lived in a calorie-poor world, and our brains developed a response mechanism to these treats that reflected their value — a feeling of reward and satisfaction. But as we’ve reshaped the world around us, dramatically reducing the cost and effort involved in obtaining calories, we still have the same brains we had thousands of years ago, and this mismatch is at the heart of why so many of us struggle to resist tempting foods that we know we shouldn’t eat.

A similar process is at work in our response to information. Our formative environment as a species was information-poor, so our brains developed a mechanism that prized new information. But global connectivity has greatly changed our information environment. We are now ceaselessly bombarded (轰炸) with new information. Therefore, just as we need to be more thoughtful about our caloric consumption, we also need to be more thoughtful about our information consumption, resisting the temptation of the mental “junk food” in order to manage our time most effectively.

1. What did the children need to do to get a second treat in Mischel’s test?

A．Take an examination alone.	B．Share their treats with others.
C．Delay eating for fifteen minutes.	D．Show respect for the researchers.

2. According to Paragraph 3, there is a mismatch between_______.

A．the calorie-poor world and our good appetites	B．the shortage of sugar and our nutritional needs
C．the tempting foods and our efforts to keep fit	D．the rich food supply and our unchanged brains

3. What does the author suggest readers do?

A．Be selective information consumers.	B．Absorb new information readily.
C．Use diverse information sources.	D．Protect the information environment.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Eat Less, Read More	B．The Later, the Better
C．The Marshmallow Test for Grownups	D．The Bitter Truth about Early Humans

5 . Children should spend at least one hour playing and spending time in nature each day, according to the Wildlife Trusts.     1    . It is now calling on the government to include nature time into daily school life.

    2    . Its 451 students in the study were 8 or 9 years of age. They were interviewed before and after nature activities. The activities were run by the Wildlife Trusts over the course of several weeks, such as learning about plants.

The children showed a great increase in personal health.     3    . 90 percent said they learned something new about the natural world; 79 percent felt the experience would help their schoolwork;     4    . Perhaps most importantly, 79 percent mentioned they would believe more in themselves.

    5    . And the time has been reducing greatly in recent years. A 2017 report found that less than 10 percent of British kids enjoyed themselves in nature, compared to 40 percent of adults when they were younger years ago. To improve the situation, the organization is appealing to the government to free up a daily hour for nature time for kids.

A．This UK organization speaks for 46 groups and 2,300 nature protection areas.

B．However, parents aren’t giving their kids enough nature time.

C．The call comes from a study by University College London.

D．81 percent said they had better relationships with their teachers.

E．The students are asked to study in University College London for one day.

F．Parents care much about their kids’ nature time.

G．And they also showed a sense of connection with the natural world and high levels of amusement.

6 . Both Roberto and Keith have a 45-minute commute (通勤) time from their homes to their workplace. When Roberto drives, he has realistic expectations of how others drive and how long the trip should take. Overall, he is able to adapt to any unexpected challenges he may face on the road. He rarely becomes angry. By contrast, Keith drives with a tendency for becoming angry easily, partly due to unrealistic expectations of other drivers, his quickness to personalize and feel threatened by the actions of others, and his inability to calm his anger.

The difference between how Roberto and Keith experience their drive to work, especially with regard to getting angry, is influenced very much by their emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is crucial for helping individuals choose constructive over destructive anger. A key aspect of healthy anger is being able to pause and reflect on, rather than react to, our thoughts, feelings, and senses associated with getting angry.

Self-regulation and empathy (同理心) are two important components of emotional intelligence, which can be a buffer (缓冲) against destructive anger. Self-regulation helps us to control our moods. Empathy helps us to recognize the humanity in others and ourselves.

Studies suggest that training in emotional intelligence can powerfully impact how anger is managed. This was supported by a three-year study of 476 young adults who showed reduced tendency of becoming angry after training. Children and adults can learn skills to boost their emotional intelligence and, by doing so, develop adaptability for dealing with various negative affect, including anger. Many workbooks offer skills in emotional intelligence to promote empathy and self-awareness regarding emotions and how they impact our beliefs and behavior.

Clearly, through training, Keith would experience greater emotional flexibility that could support a more peaceful commute to work. I firmly believe that learning skills in emotional intelligence should be the focus in helping individuals more constructively manage this highly challenging and complex emotion.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．To tell a true story.	B．To make a comparison.
C．To introduce the main topic.	D．To present an important finding.

2. Which of the following is the main point of healthy anger?

A．Thinking over the annoying situation.

B．Taking action to deal with the awful situation.

C．Turning a blind eye to the unwelcome situation.

D．Expressing feelings about the disturbing situation.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards training in emotional intelligence?

A．Indifferent.

B．Doubtful.

C．Negative.

D．Supportive.

4. What is the suitable title of the text?

A．Friends Should Enjoy Peaceful Commute

B．Drivers Need to Boost Their Emotional Intelligence

C．Emotional Intelligence Is a Buffer Against Destructive Anger

D．Emotional Intelligence Has a Powerful Impact on People’s Life

7 . Grand Canyon National Park

Located in northern Arizona, the park covers 277 miles of the Colorado River and nearby uplands. One of the most awesome examples of erosion (侵蚀)   in the world, Grand Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable view it offers to visitors.

Park Openings and Closings

The Village and Desert View on the South Rim are open all year and park entrances remain open 24 hours a day. North Rim facilities open mid-May and close mid-October. Park entrances remain open 24 hours a day during this time. Hours for visitor centers and businesses vary throughout the year.

Park Information

The park produces a Pocket Map with a North Rim and South Rim edition that contains a map and information about services, facilities, and park ranger programs. It is available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese. A hiking brochure is available for those planning to hike one of the park’s main trails down into Grand Canyon. Obtain publications at entrance stations, visitor centers, or atgo.nps.gov/136oil.

Accessibility

The terrain (地形) is rugged with narrow, rocky trails and steep cliffs. Visitors using wheelchairs or having visual disabilities may need assistance. For more information about accessibility in Grand Canyon National Park, see go.nps.gov/1rtxl2.

Park Entrance Fees

Admission to the park us $35 per private vehicle; $30 per motorcycle; and $20 per person entering the park through Grand Canyon Railway, park shuttle bus, walking, or riding a bicycle. The pass can be used for seven days and includes both rims. Pay fees at park entrance stations or at some businesses outside the park. Every year the National Park Service offers entrance fee free days. For complete fee information, please visitgo.nps.gov/y5uu6f.

Sustainability

Grand Canyon National Park involves sustainability in all aspects of its operations. Use your refillable water bottle to fill up on free Grand Canyon spring water at visitor centers and grocery stores. Recycling containers are conveniently located and as common as trash bins. Discover what else you can do to protect the environment while traveling here and beyond. at go.mos.gov/lb2rzt.

1. People with physical disabilities can find detailed information on park facilities designed for them by visiting_________.

A．go.nps.gov/lrtx12	B．go.nps.gov/y5uu6f
C．go.nps.gov/136ojl	D．go.nps.gov/lb2rzt

2. What is the admission fee if you and your parents plan to go on a six-day vacation to Grand Canyon National Park by driving a car?

A．$95.

B．$60.

C．$35.

D．$70.

3. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A．Visitors have year-round access to every corner of the national park.

B．Hikers who can only speak Chinese cannot explore the North Rim without a guide.

C．Visitors are forbidden to leave any trash in the National Park to maintain sustainability.

D．The Grand Canyon features is one of the world’s most visually breathtaking landscapes.

8 . Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and Henry noticed a change in their older son. Suddenly he seemed to be talking far more to his friends than to his parents. “The door to his room is always shut,” Joanna noted.

Tina and Mark noticed similar changes in their 14-year-old daughter. “She used to cuddle up (依偎) against me on the sofa and talk,” said Mark. “Now we joke that she does this only when she wants something. Sometimes she wants to be treated like a little girl and sometimes like a young lady. The problem is understanding which time is which.”

Before age 11, children like to tell their parents what’s on their mind. “In fact, parents are first on the list,” said Michael Riera, author of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. “This completely changes during the teen years,” Riera explained. “They talk to their friends first, then maybe their teachers, and their parents last.”

Parents who know what’s going on in their teenagers’ lives are in the best position to help them. To break down the wall of silence, parents should create chances to understand what their children want to say, and try to find ways to talk and write to them. And they must give their children a mental (思想的) break, for children also need freedom, though young. Another thing parents should remember is that to be a friend, not a manager, with their children is a better way to know them.

1. “The door to his room is always shut” suggests that the son ________.

A．keeps himself away from his parents	B．begins to dislike his parents
C．is always busy with his study	D．doesn’t want to be ignored

2. What does trouble Tina and Mark?

A．Their daughter isn’t as lovely as before.

B．They can’t read their daughter’s mind exactly.

C．They don’t know what to say to their daughter.

D．Their daughter talks with them only when she needs help.

3. Which of the following best explains “the wall of silence” in the last paragraph?

A．Teenagers talk a lot with their friends.	B．Teenagers do not understand their parents.
C．Teenagers talk little about their own lives.	D．Teenagers do not talk much with their parents.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Parents shouldn’t be angry with teenagers.

B．Parents have to talk with children face to face.

C．Parents are unhappy with their growing children.

D．Parents should try to understand their teenagers.

9 . When I was ten, my family moved to the other side of town. I was forced to leave the familiarity with The St. Paul’s Schools and became “the new kid” at another school — a one-hallway school with no gym, where the other kids in my class had been together since kindergarten. I struggled to break into the crowd and spent lunchtime playing alone.

One school day, when I headed to the kitchen table, I heard the radio, “It’s a sad day in the music world. Mr Roy Orbison has died.” “Oh no, how sad! Roy Orbison has died. Wait... Who is Roy Orbison?” I thought. I didn’t have a chance to ask. I had to get to the classroom before the bell.

It was Mr Hutchison’s class. Every day, he would ask if there was anyone we wanted to pray for. That day, Johnny prayed for his sick grandfather, and Emily prayed for her grandmother who had surgery. This was my chance! Before I had time to fully think it through, my hand shot into the air. “I’d like to pray for Roy Orbison!” Silence fell over the room. The other kids looked confused, but Mr Hutchison could see the eagerness in my eyes. No one else had ever been so excited to pray for anyone in his class.

“OK, Roy Orbison has been added to the prayer list” he winked (眨眼示意). I did it! This must be another way we kids make new friends: you just pray for someone.

I had never met Roy Orbison, and nor had I had his album. But because of Roy, a little girl named Christine came up to me and said, “I’m really sorry for your loss. If you’re not busy with the funeral (葬礼), maybe you can come over and play after school.”

Thanks to Roy and Christine, I wasn’t lonely any more.

1. Why did I pray for Roy Orbison?

A．I was a true fan of him.	B．I felt sorry for his death.
C．I needed a reason to be noticed.	D．I wanted to impress Mr Hutchison.

2. What happened after I prayed for Roy Orbison?

A．The whole class felt sad as I did.	B．I made new friends at the new school.
C．Christine offered to enjoy Roy’s music with me.	D．Mr Hutchison turned a blind eye to my prayer.

3. What is the tone of the text?

A．Humorous.

B．Serious.

C．Ironic.

D．Critical.

4. Which of the following can best describe the text?

A．Chances favor a prepared mind.	B．Life is full of unexpected wonders.
C．A friend in need is a friend indeed.	D．Where there is a will, there is a way.

10 . Life finds me on the Isle of Islay, Queen of the Hebrides. I am the warden (管理员) of The Oa Reserve, a 2, 100-hectare nature reserve and working farm owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

It was always a dream of mine to live in Scotland. The friendly nature of the island communities, the landscape, beautiful coastlines and — above all — the wildlife. The amazing wildlife. So, here I am: living and working on the west coast of Scotland in a dream job. But, things weren’t always this way.

My school life never really amounted to much. I didn’t go on to higher education and my early working life was sloppy (马虎的), at best. Much of this was due to my disinterest in the work I was doing. I worked in factories, shops, warehouses and even a castle. I was always unsettled and uninspired. I never knew how to channel my interest and passion for nature into a paying job. Wildlife and nature had been part of my life since my youth. I remember my childhood with great fondness: I would read bird books, doodle fact files for each species and get lost in the natural world.

In 2014, the opportunity I so desperately needed finally appeared — a paid traineeship with Durham Wildlife Trust. I was given all the basic skills and training for habitat control, wildlife surveys and ground management works. In October 2015, I became the reserve warden for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), where I stayed for just under half a decade. As happy as I was, new opportunities dared me to dream even bigger. The time had come to take my next step, to continue to grow within my career.

So, this is where I am now: living in the middle of a nature reserve, with golden eagles, red deer and hen harriers as neighbors. I feel as if I’m the luckiest man alive.

1. What does the author like the most about Scotland?

A．Its unique scenery.	B．Its wild species.
C．Its friendly communities.	D．Its beautiful shorelines.

2. Why did the author feel unsettled in his early working life?

A．He changed jobs too often.	B．He was not well-paid.
C．He found his jobs to be boring.	D．He felt inferior to others.

3. What can be inferred about the author’s childhood?

A．He knew a lot about biology.	B．He was forced to leave school early.
C．He dreamed of living in Scotland.	D．He was fascinated by nature.

4. What did the author think of his work at the WWT?

A．Rewarding.

B．Challenging.

C．Exhausting.

D．Flexible.